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Yeah, uh, she really had to stop (not) thinking about him

This attraction … she didn’t understand it, didn’t understand why his intensity fascinated her Or why she’d missed him so damn badly Or how he’d pepped her up while he was here How he’d pushed and pushed and pushed, yet hadn’t sent her into a frenzy of self-destruction

Maybe because he didn’t do it to ent, someone who saved lives and protected those who couldn’t protect themselves He’d actually distracted her fronawing void inside her He’d given her purpose

Orwas because he looked at her, really looked at her, as if she were a person worthy of his tih he’d shouted, he hadn’t called her nae plans for him So he’d kissed her and rejected her Wasn’t a punch to that gorgeous ain … why did she feel this way about him?

Sure, he was like no one she’d evernice He treated everyone with the same sense of cold detachment--except Noelle With her, he barked orders and assuet it, he physically forced the issue

Soents, and he was relaxed, casual Yet still he radiated all kinds of ferocity, as if he couldn’t quite lower his guard all the way With anyone

What would it take to relax him absolutely? What would he be like that way?

She’d never know, she was sure Because … oh, God … she was going to talk to hi between them Or at least, on her end One conversation, and she could finally stop (not) thinking about him She just knew it He’d snarl, of course, and she’d rerumpy he was He’d tell her he wasn’t interested, and she’d re herself

She tiptoed to Ava’s bunk and sat at the edge of theover the bunk, noover the bed, but Noelle had been awake for the past hour and her eyes had long since adjusted to the darkness "You up?"

"No," her friend whispered back, voice scratchy froood Quick question Let’s say, hypothetically, that I snuck out" Walking over to the instructors’ cabin wasn’t a cri suspicious But a girl never knehat the agents would decide to coet a third strike She did, and she doubted she’d be allowed to stay

And now … now she really wanted to stay

She finally understood what all the fuss was about She was good at this

Challenged Intrigued She thrived where others failed And, if given a chance, she could make a difference in the world; she could save lives, destroy killers

Having a goal was nice, and so she hadn’t known she’d needed But every day she felt a little more centered, a little more driven

"Would you cover forthe answer "I don’t want any of the other trainees to knohat I’et slapped upside the head today? Of course I’ll cover for you"

"You’re the best!"

"Do you need backup?"

"Nope" She had to do this on her own She eased to a stand, the stupidall around her face "So where are you going?"

She couldn’t lie to her friend She wouldn’t "To see Hector Dean He just arrived I want to … talk to him" And a whole lot ed Definitely

Maybe

"You going to kill him?" Ava asked

"Nah I’ve decided to play nice"

Noelle had only been with two h school The next day, the slimy bastard had told everyone at school how he’d popped her cherry Within hours, she’d beco slut

Of course, Ava had then popped his cherry red sports car into his parents’ living rooot all weepy when she reesture that had marked Ava’s very first arrest

They’d celebrated by stealing very expensive chauy, Corban, she’d chosen h he was an otherworlder, he’d coh he’d coround, he’d proven himself to be a warrior at heart He hadn’t chosen law enforce like that, but professional football

They’dAt first, he’d an dating officially, however, that’s when the criticisirlfriend of his would never… fill in the blank

A girlfriend of his had to … fill in the blank

Men were coh Noelle wanted to open herself up and take a chance--in theory--she hadn’t yet

Since the break-up, she had dated other guys A lot of other guys Alithin the first hour, she found a thousand things wrong, and declined all invitations to go for a second round

Strangely, she’d found a thousand things wrong with Hector, but she still wanted to see hiain Preferably naked

"Noelle, you little hussy," Ava whispered "Are you still with me?"

She shook herself back into the present "Now I a--wait, do you prefer little person, vertically challenged, or pocket rocket?"

A grinning Ava reached up and patted her cheek with a bit too ed to quietly yelp